Health Care Leadership, B.S.

This program, offered both in an on-campus blended and online formats, is designed to meet the needs of adult learners whose primary focus is the health care field. This program is particularly suited to health care professionals who possess essential clinical skills but wish to enhance their career opportunities by developing proficiencies in management, supervision, leadership and education. It is also open to those just embarking on their health care careers.

Students applying to the B.S. in Health Care Leadership program are subject to the Undergraduate Admission Requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

At the completion of the B.S. in Health Care Leadership, students will be able to:

PLO1. Utilize written and oral communication skills to convey health care issues to colleagues, administration, patients, and the public. (Domain: Communication Skills)

PLO2. Practice effective teamwork in health care situations. (Domain: Leadership; Teamwork)

PLO3. Construct and deliver health care presentations locally and at the state level. (Domain: Presentation Skills)

PLO4. Analyze health care situations and solve problems within their professional practice areas from legal, ethical, cultural, clinical, and financial perspectives. (Domain: Ethical and Legal Issues; Diversity; Financial Issues)

PLO5. Analyze compliance with human resource guidelines and policies of the institution, and state and federal laws and regulations. (Domain: People Resources)

PLO6. Formulate and implement a strategic plan on a departmental level. (Domain: Strategic Analysis; Strategic Planning)

Program Details:

  • Requires 180 QH, including 60 QH of General Education, for completion
  • A maximum of 60 QH of technical credit may be transferred
  • Credit for Prior Learning is accepted for general education, elective credit and as determined appropriate by the faculty, toward program major requirements 
  • Students may complete any minor or concentration that is not in the same area of study as their program major. Students must consult with their Academic Advisor to select a minor or concentration that best fits their career and personal goals.

Required Courses

General Education Requirements

Communications

The following courses are recommended:
ENG 101Beginning English Composition

5

ENG 201Intermediate English

5

ENG 203Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate

5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.

 

Humanities and Fine Arts

Choose two courses from the list below:
ART 105Race, Identity and Experience in American Art

5

ART 106Race, Identity and Experience in American Art I

2

ART 107Race, Identity and Experience in American Art II

3

HIS 103History Across the Globe

5

PHI 107Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique

5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:  

  • Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
  • Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance) 

 

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
MTH 101Introduction to Mathematical Concepts

5

MTH 102Statistical Foundations

5

MTH 105Math for Educators I

5

MTH 115Math for Educators II

5

SCI 101Physical Science

5

SCI 102Survey of Biological Science with Lab

5

SCI 225Human Impact on Environment

5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: 

  • Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
  • Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
  • Mathematics or Natural Sciences

 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Choose two courses from the list below:
ECO 200Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional

5

HIS 102Civics and American Government

5

HIS 212Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School

5

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

5

SOC 101Foundational Sociology

5

SOC 204Contemporary Chicago

5

SOC 222Culture and Identity

5

SOC 250Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States

5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.

 

General Education Electives

This area may be satisfied by two courses in any general education category listed above or other courses consistent with integrated general education competencies.

Additional General Education Requirements

GEN 203NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success

3

Note: Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete GEN 203.

Health Care Leadership Major - 60 QH

Gateway Courses - 10 QH

HCL 301Overview of Health Care Delivery

5

RES 410Critical Thinking and Research Skills

5

Note: Enrollment in the gateway courses requires that the student completes, at a minimum, LAE101, English Composition I (or equivalent), as a prerequisite. For this degree completion program, the faculty recommends (but not requires) that the students complete or transfer in 60-90 quarter credit hours of undergraduate coursework as well prior to entering the Health Care Leadership gateway courses.

Core Courses - 45 QH

HCL 311Professional Writing and Presentation Skills in Health Care

5

HCL 316Team Development in Health Care

5

HCL 320Educational Delivery and Assessment in Health Care

5

HCL 350Quality Analysis and Improvement in Health Care

5

HCL 410Health Care Supervision and Human Resources

5

HCL 416Financial and Physical Resource Administration

5

HCL 421Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care

5

HCL 426Health Care Information Systems

5

HCL 431Marketing of Health Care Services

5

Capstone Course - 5 QH

HCL 499Strategic Analysis and Planning in Health Care

5

Electives - 60 QH

Choose elective courses to meet the minimum degree requirement of 180 QH